Saturday Night Live Season 51: Reliving the Viral Moments and Looking Ahead to Season 52

While Saturday Night Live Season 51 has officially come to a close, the laughter is far from over. For fans of the legendary sketch comedy series, the summer hiatus is simply a chance to catch up on the most iconic moments of a season that pushed the boundaries of satire and surrealism.

A Grand Finale with Comedy Royalty

Season 51 wrapped up on May 16 with a bang, featuring the return of comedy legend Will Ferrell as the host and the legendary Paul McCartney as the musical guest. The energy was so high and the episode so jam-packed that several sketches were “cut for time,” leaving fans eager for the digital releases of the missing scenes.

Viral Hits: The Most-Watched Sketches of the Season

From cinematic parodies to absurd character studies, Season 51 delivered plenty of internet-breaking content. Some of the standout pretaped sketches that dominated social media include:

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• The “Home Alone” Parody: A hilariously gory take on the holiday classic starring Ariana Grande and Ashley Padilla.
• “Heated Wizardry”: A viral sensation featuring Finn Wolfhard and Ben Marshall as eccentric Hogwarts-style heroes.
• The New Class: The season also introduced fresh talent to the cast, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, who joined veterans like Kenan Thompson and James Austin Johnson.

A Historic Milestone: The 1,000th Episode

One of the most significant moments of the season happened on January 31, 2026, when Alexander Skarsgård hosted for the first time. Not only did Skarsgård surprise audiences with an impromptu sax solo during his monologue, but the episode officially marked the 1,000th episode in SNL history.

The night was made even more special by a heartwarming and hilarious appearance by Skarsgård’s father, Stellan Skarsgård, in the “Scandinavian Movie 2” and “Winter Olympics Promo” sketches, alongside musical guest Cardi B.

What to Watch Tonight?

If you missed the historic 1,000th episode, you’re in luck! NBC is airing a special re-broadcast of the Alexander Skarsgård and Cardi B episode tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET. It is the perfect way to tide over the craving for Saturday Night Live while we wait for new content.

How to Stream and Stay Updated

Can’t wait until the fall for the Season 52 premiere? You can revisit every single sketch, cold open, and musical performance from all 51 seasons on Peacock. Whether you want to see Olivia Rodrigo’s hosting debut or the best of the “cut for time” sketches, the entire library is available for streaming.

For the latest updates on the Saturday Night Live Season 52 premiere date and cast changes, keep an eye on the NBC Insider portal.

Who was your favorite host of Season 51? Let us know in the comments!